Obituary of Hamilton Dent Moore

AIKEN, SC-- Hamilton Dent Moore passed away peacefully in our home on Monday, February 18th, with family at his bedside. He celebrated his 97th birthday well last month!

Born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, he was the eldest son of Dr. Lawrence Clayton Moore and Helen Paschall Moore. He graduated from high school in West Chester, Pennsylvania. After graduation he received training as a sheet metal mechanic and joined the Navy. He met his to-be wife, Jane Elizabeth Smith, when he was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. They met at church when he passed her a note from the pew behind. Her mother disapproved of a military man who would soon be going off to war, so they continued to see each other at church until he was called to serve on the aircraft carrier, the US Bon Homme Richard, positioned off the coast of Japan during WWII.

Love prevailed and they were married in Norfolk in 1947. They moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania where their three children were born. There Dent became a lifelong member of the Scottish Rite Freemasonry, West Chester Lodge #322 F. & A.M. Next they moved to Chalfont, Pennsylvania where he was employed by and retired from the Department of Defense as a quality assurance specialist. He was also in the Air Force for many years in Willow Grove, Pa. In his many years in Pa. he enjoyed skeet shooting and hunting, and loved working with his hunting dogs. He later took up golf, and was always an avid reader.

About twenty years ago, Dent and Jane moved to Aiken to leave the Pa. snow behind and to be near his beloved brother, Dare Moore and his wife, Betty. They enjoyed years of playing golf together whenever possible, and in elder years watching golf together on the television. He joined the First Presbyterian Church, and valued friends made there.

He is survived by his daughter Jayne Ellen Moore (Chris Fredell of Aiken and of Juneau, Alaska), and his son, Hamilton Dent Moore, Jr. (“Bud”) of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and grandchildren, Gregory Kirk Moore, Julie Megan Schwarz, Alyssa Nicole Kelly (Shawn), and Douglas Scott Moore, as well as five great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Merrill Dare Moore and Dana Craig Moore, and by his oldest daughter, Donna Kaye Inge.

We wish to extend heartfelt thanks to Chris Fredell, Dent’s son-in-law, who has spent the past five years putting his big heart and generous spirit into helping Dent and Jane in so very many ways. We are also very grateful for the gift of Lestine Bush, Dent’s loyal and loving caregiver for many years, and also so many other dedicated and compassionate caregivers over the years.

Dent faced the changes and challenges of aging head on with a cheerful outlook and determination to be as independent as possible. We will remember him as a devoted husband, steady and supportive father, grandfather, and gracious friend.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 25th at eleven in the morning at the First Presbyterian Church on Barnwell Ave. with the Reverend Doctor Brian Coulter and the Reverend Holly Shoaf-O’Kula presiding. A reception will follow in the church Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church or Hospice, or to the charity of one’s choice.

The Historic George Funeral Home, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements. 

Expressions of sympathy for the Moore family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com